Contrary to the growing chorus in a section of the media that J&K is headed for governor’s rule, the reality is the exact opposite: Mehbooba Mufti government is here to stay. And it is not only because the PDP-BJP alliance’s leaders in Srinagar and Delhi say it, on and off the record, but also because of compelling political realities. One such overriding reality is that the PDP-BJP alliance is the most ideal ruling dispensation J&K could have under the circumstances. And far from being a bar to the hardening security…
Read MoreDay: September 26, 2016
Valley remains Shut for the 80th Consecutive Day; Kishtwar under Curfew on second day
Kashmir remained shut on Monday for the 80th consecutive day, although markets in Srinagar had opened and were booming with customers on Sunday afternoon following a relaxation in shutdown by the resistance groups. Markets in Lal Chowk and many other areas opened on Sunday evening and remained in business till late in the night. Customers had thronged these markets and several areas had witnessed traffic snarls that the police took hours to clear. Separatists had asked people to start normal activities after 2 p.m. on Sunday till 6 a.m. on…
Read MoreIf India can’t forget 18 soldiers, how can Kashmiris ignore 6 lakh sacrifices: Geelani
Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Sunday hit out at New Delhi accusing it of “giving bad name of cross border infiltration to the legitimate and just struggle of Kashmir for right to self-determination.” Commenting on PM Narendra Modi’s speech that “18 army jawans will not be forgotten and terrorism is a curse for humanity,” Geelani said in a statement, “We agree that terrorism is a curse. But but what concerns us is the dubious standards of these rulers who have gross contradiction in their words…
Read MoreIsolated, Cut off in Curfew Bound Valley
Caught in the unrest for the past more than two months, people in the Valley remained caged in their homes. Most have lost contact with their relatives in various parts of the region as travelling to other districts has become near impossible. Sama Sheikh, 35, along with her husband and two children was visiting Kashmir from the UAE after three years and was excited about meeting her family in Kashmir, but hadn’t thought she wouldn’t be able to go out and meet her close relatives. “When I reached Srinagar on…
Read MoreHitchhiking: The only way out for many in Valley
Desperate people waiting for a lift or walking on foot has become a common sight in the trouble-torn Kashmir valley where public transport has remained suspended for almost 80 days. As one passes through the otherwise busy highways and main roads in south and north Kashmir, long queues of people can be seen along the roadside trying to reach their destination with the help of strangers passing through. “We have been waiting here for the past two hours to reach Bijbehara,” says Ghulam Nabi, who was standing with his wife…
Read MoreFruit growers across Kashmir battle Closed Mandis, Storage due to unrest
As per the data of the Horticulture Department, there has been a three-fold rise in fruit consignments to various markets outside the state this month. Fruit growers in Kashmir have been forced to rush their produce to various markets across the country after the closure of local markets and cold storage facilities owing to the ongoing unrest. According to officials of the Department of Horticulture (Planning and Marketing), the closure of local mandis and cold storage facilities, coupled with non-availability of labour, have forced the fruit growers to harvest and…
Read MoreSex racket busted in Jammu, 20 detained
A sex racket, allegedly being run with the help of social media, has been unearthed and about 20 people have been detained, police said today. According to police, it had received a complaint in Janipur area that some websites and social networking sites had allegedly posted advertisements of escort services and calls girls in Jammu. “The services were being provided by some locals who had published their phone numbers on these websites. Wanting to avail of the services, people would give a call on these numbers,” Senior Superintendent of Police…
Read MoreWords contradict with deeds; Geelani to National leadership
Hardline Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani today said there was a “visible contradiction in words and deeds” of the national leadership. Commenting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on Saturday, he said, “Eighteen armed jawans will not be forgotten. Terrorism is a curse for humanity and we all need to join hands to combat it.” He said they agreed with Modi that “terrorism is really a curse and India should not forget its soldiers’ sacrifices”. “This response is quite natural and expected, but what concerns us is the dubious…
Read MoreKishtwar under curfew after arrest of 2 Hurriyat leaders
The state government imposed curfew in communally sensitive Kishtwar town following the arrest of three persons —two of them under the Public Safety Act — in the wee hours today for their alleged involvement in anti-national and criminal activities. The accused were wanted by the police on charges of sedition for the past few weeks. According to reports, the police raided the houses of Abdul Qayoom Mattoo, a local Hurriyat leader and ‘imam’ of a mosque in Omar Mohalla of the town, Saifuddin Bhagwan, local Hurriyat leader, and Firdous Bhagwan…
Read MoreMarkets open after 79 Days on Hurriyat’s call; 39 Arrested in 24 Hours
People throng markets, traffic cops had a tough time in regulating traffic Curfew lifted from all parts, 39 arrested in 24 hours: Police After 79 days of curfew, restrictions and shutdown, the markets opened across the Valley on Sunday afternoon in response to the relaxation in shutdown announced by the separatist leaders. At 2 pm, the shopkeepers and business establishments in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley opened their shops and establishments. The Sunday market, which has remained closed since July 8, also opened today. It was for the…
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